Saturday 23 February 2008

Fairy Slippers etc

Nearly two hours ago I got on the computer with the intention of doing a quick blog post about my little fairy slippers but I have managed to get totally distracted by blog reading instead! There are so many wonderful blogs out there and I especially love the ones where people share their art and creativity in various forms. I really need to update my favourite blogs sidebar as there are about a hundred missing! Thank goodness for Google Reader.


Anyway, these are my finished slippers - they are tiny - a fiddly exercise completely out of my comfort zone (which is why it was an "out of your comfort zone" exchange!). The original idea came from was an article in the UK "Stitch" magazine which Joanna has introduced me to. As my "fabric" I used tissue paper which was first fused to felt, then decorated with Adirondack colour washes and black webbing spray and finally sealed with diluted PVA. The result is quite leathery looking and relatively malleable. It machine stitched beautifully as a larger piece but was a bit delicate when it came to hand stitching and beading the cut edges. The insides are painted with gold fabric paint.



While I have always kept notebooks for ideas, thoughts, quotes etc I haven't previously kept an art journal. I always liked the idea and read lots of articles and books by people who did but this is the first year I have actually got around to it. I am only doing the occasional page but I am really enjoying it. The prompt for this page is Love (it being February). I have done an acrylic paint background that I have then scribbled into while wet with an embossing tool. The stamps are flea market stamps from the wonderful Ma Vinci (I have rather a lot of her fabulous alphabet stamps) and the hearts are cut from scraps of fabric paper left over from the August workshops I did with Beryl Taylor. I wouldn't hand sew into a journal again (or at least not so much) - it was too awkward and time-consuming with the whole book attached to the page! The splodges of blue and green come from sprays of Moon Spray Glitz. The page is a bit more vibrant than it looks in the scan. Lots of white gel pen and some glitter glue too!

21 comments:

kelsey said...

Oh Deb! Those fairy slippers are just too perfect for words! Having been a sewer for many years and also particularly fond of sewing "small" things, I know how much work these sorts of things take. But the end result is just so worth the effort. Now you just need to find a little pixie/fairy to wear them...maybe in the garden??? lol

Natalie B said...

Wow Deb I'm speechless..... Absolutely speechless........... ok well I will say these are just so precious and detailed and yummy :-)

Myra said...

Oh my, those fairy slippers are just out of this world! The little beads and such, I'll bet they were more than fiddly but worth the end result.

Janet said...

The little slippers are fantastic! I can't imagine working on something so small and with such detail. And I also like your journal page....purple is my favorite color.

Jacky said...

How precious are those little slippers??? I just love them...
Your journal page is gorgeous, reminds me I have to get into mine. I am enjoying getting into these visual arts journals!

Pat said...

The slippers are truly delightful and I like your art journal page, I particularly like the swirls in the background.

Purple Missus said...

Those fairy slippers are too gorgeous for words. How I wish I had nimble fingers :)
I too have always loved the idea of an art journal - you have now inspired me to start one.

Anonymous said...
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Unknown said...

those little slippers are gorgeous, I think I need to make a pair :)
if your journal is wire bound take the wire out and work on your pages seperately,
I usually blanket stitch the book back together with matching threads, or you can put the wire back in.

Unknown said...

Oh Debbi, they are gorgeous!!!! Can't find another word for it that isn't written here before.

Viola said...

Wow Debbi, they look really gorgeous! Stunning work as always! :o))))

Danielle D said...

Debbi! Those tiny slippers are beautiful! I can't believe how delicate and perfect they look.

sharon young said...

Hi Debbi
What fantastic slippers!! They would certainly make some little elf really happy!! I think they look more matcho than fairy, myself LOL, and what a lovely start to your art journaling can't wait to see the next instalment.
Thank you for your lovely comments on my blog posts.

Anonymous said...

Oh my ~ I do love those little slippers!!!

Lise said...

These are great!! I have just "found" your blog, and I'll come back soon. Thanks for sharing!

Jen Crossley said...

OH WOW Debbi these are Gorgeous,Im speechless you have out done yourself
Jen

Aussie Jo said...

They are the cutest fairy slippers, maybe I could make some for my 7yr old's care bears!!! I have actually got that copy of that Stitch from Embroiderer's Guild at the moment, now just to find time!!!
Love! the journal page.

Night Owl Designs said...

Wow Debbi! I can only imagine the work you must have put into these. BTW, I've just given you the "You Make My Day" award on my blog. All the info you need to pass it on is over there.

Wavecritter said...

Tissue paper and felt...you turned it into "True Magic with Sparkle" Incredible and beautiful...Thanks :)

Stephanie Haile

artisbliss said...

Your fairy slippers are wonderful! I especially love the soles. How cool!

Jo Wholohan said...

Ohhhh my goodness Deb, you are so amazing my dear, is there no end to your talents :)) Soooo love these little slippers!!!